Hazardous Waste Disposal
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) collects
hazardous materials in several categories for disposal, treatment
or recycling for all University of Oregon departments. Call EHS @ 6-3192 for specific questions.
Municipal waste requiring treatment or special handling:
- Paint (solvent-based is collected by EHS). The first choice for unwanted Latex paint
is to share with other departments. However, if the paint is not usable or you cannot find someone who will use the paint, it must be solidified before disposal in municipal waste dumpsters. Dispose
without the lid on the container. *Solvent based paint must be given to EHS for disposal.
- Sharps that are not contaminated with biological material
as described below and collected in durable
containers
must be labeled as “Sharps”.
- Creosote & Penta wood products.
Universal waste:
- Waste oil (in a sealable container)
- Fluorescent or metal halide lamps (place broken lamps in a
sealed
container)
- Computer and Electronic Equipment (University owned,
non-working)
Working equipment is collected by the Property Control Manager 6-3163
- Batteries (alkaline, Ni-Cad, Li, lead acid [wet and dry],
button cell)
Biohazard waste:
- Blood-contaminated debris
- Waste that is known to be infectious, pathogenic,
etiological, or
otherwise a suspected health hazard
- Biohazard Sharps must be approved biohazard containers
Regulated waste:
- Chemicals which are Flammable, Toxic, Corrosive or Reactive
- Controlled Substances and Medications
- Degreasers and Cleaning Products
- Pesticides
- Mercury-containing thermometers, switches, etc.
- Smoke Detectors (ionizing only)
Do not put these materials in
the trash or down the drain.
Proper disposal is accomplished by following the steps listed below:
- Collect the material in an appropriate container that is
one
gallon or less in size, or obtain authorization from EHS for
alternate containers. Containers must be compatible with the type of
material being collected and non-leaking with secure lids.
- Attach a completed “Caution Hazardous” tag to each
container.
If you have questions or need tags, contact EHS at 6-3192.
- Call EHS for collection
(6-3192).
Provide the following information: your name, your University
affiliation (Principal Investigator or Department), the location of the
waste material (lab, building, room #, etc.), your UO extension, and
the amount and type of waste material to be collected, e.g. 2 bottles
of organic waste, etc.
Waste collections are completed within 72 hours of notification.
Commonly Asked Hazardous Waste
Questions:
How do I collect the waste?
Segregate waste streams - organic from inorganic, solids from liquids,
halogenated from non-halogenated. The more you segregate waste, the
more recycling and disposal options there are for us.
Glass or plastic bottles are acceptable. Consider the compatibility of
the waste with the bottle, and find an appropriately sized bottle for
the amount of waste you expect to generate.
Containers must be labeled from the first time a waste is placed in the
container.
Containers must be kept closed
except when adding material.
How do I store it?
Store the waste material in a controlled area and in
secondary
containment when possible. Make sure containers are sealed, non-leaking
and properly identified with the proper chemical tag
Do not over fill containers (for liquids, leave two or more inches of
headspace).
How do I identify the waste?
List the contents by chemical name, no abbreviations.
If several small additions are made over time, create a list of
discarded materials, noting the material, concentration and amount.
Initial each entry.
Contact:
Craig Biersdorff
Hazardous Waste Specialist
Phone: (541) 346-2348
E-Mail: craigb@uoregon.edu
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